GPs to be allowed to issue sand mining permits

The government has decided to let eight gram panchayats in the district issue permits to mine sand in rivers, in non-CRZ areas within their jurisdiction.

“The GPs will be empowered to issue permits to sand contractors and collect revenue, in Phase 1,” Ivan D’Souza, MLC, said at the ZP 15th meeting at Nethravathi Hall.

“The government decided at a meeting of different departments in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Guidelines are being drafted and if the pilot exercise is successful, the government has plans to empower more gram panchayats across the state to issue permits for sand mining,” he said.

BJP member Koragappa Nayak had raised the issue of sand by highlighting the scarcity of sand in the district. He said poor beneficiaries of housing schemes were forced to complete the construction of houses within 90 days due to shortage of sand supply. This was affecting the beneficiaries greatly, he had added.

The meeting unanimously adopted a resolution on requesting the government to implement a special rehabilitation package to the residents of villages on the border of Sullia taluk and Kodagu. The residents of Kalmakaru, Markanja, Sampaje, Aranthodu and Madappady villages, which are on the border, had received a compensation of Rs 95,000.

Member Harish Kanhipili’s appeal to release Rs eight lakh to help flood-hit victims build new houses also received approval of the members.

CEO Selvamani R said that help from NITK will be sought to carry out a technical certification of pure drinking water units installed across the district by the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL). Based on the certification, a report that the maintenance of such units is not possible in the present condition will be submitted to the government and action will be initiated against the KRIDL officials, said Selvamani.

The CEO said that a survey of people without sites was also carried out in the district.